For the first time in seven years, the Food and Drug Administration has approved an implanted device to treat obesity. The Maestro Rechargeable System is surgically inserted into the stomach, where it sends out electrical pulses designed to impede the activity of the vagus nerve, which connects the brain and the stomach and sends hunger messages to the brain when the stomach is empty. The device, which effectively sends “default” messages of fullness, resulted in an 8.5 percent greater weight loss after twelve months among recipients compared to a control group of dieters. This actually fell short of the study's initial goal, which was a 10 percent greater weight loss, but the study results were considered beneficial enough to justify the risk of surgery and warrant FDA approval.